Frequently asked questions
Who is DNV and what is the scope of its work?
We are a globally trusted, independent quality assurance and risk management provider serving companies across high-risk industries and sectors. Since 1864, we have helped innovative and forward-thinking companies achieve high quality and safety standards in pursuit of our mission to safeguard life, property, and the environment.
We provide independent, third party validation to many of today's most innovating and forward-thinking companies. Outside of the healthcare industry, we certify medical device safety claims, certify supply chain traceability, verify sustainability and decarbonization claims, and even verify the safety of ship designs, and more.
I'm thinking of switching my organization's AO but we already have an AO. Is there a drawback or downside from CMS if we switch?
No, there is no drawback from CMS if you switch your AO at any time.
Annual surveys sound like a lot. Will it create more work for our team?
We survey annually as opposed to the traditional once every three years. Annual surveys mean less work and less stress for you in the long run. After addressing the findings of your first survey, you’ll find it becomes habitual to practice high quality care every day. With annual surveys, your organization remains consistently at the top of quality performance and surveys are an annual validation of that. There is no need for a ramping up period that can drain resources.
What is the benefit to being ISO 9001 certified?
The benefits are many. Like any accreditation model, our standards and requirements are built to satisfy the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) from CMS. They are also designed to satisfy the requirements of the ISO 9001 quality management system, a globally recognized standard in high-risk sectors. ISO 9001 certification is recognizable by patients and helps organizations distinguish themselves. With ISO 9001 certification, you can expect:
- Consistently better care experiences for patients and peace of mind for families
- Empowerment to focus on what’s important
- A structure for the organization to focus on common goals
- Consistency, which turns individuals into teams, and teams into high-performing organizations
I don't need accreditation, but what else do you offer?
We offer an array of solutions to help healthcare organizations achieve their goals along with regulatory and industry standards. We teach customizable courses for professionals to earn individual certification and sharpen skills in various aspects of quality management.
We also certify specialty programs and departments, such as orthopedics and spine, cardiac, infection prevention, and sterile processing departments. ASCs can also earn Center of Excellence status from DNV. For example, learn about becoming an Orthopedic/ Orthopedic & Spine Center of Excellence.
In what other ways will DNV support my hospital's journey to accreditation?
We focus on collaboration, trust, and knowledge sharing. For organizations beginning their journey to accreditation or transitioning from another AO, we offer a mentorship program that can match your hospital to another hospital that has undergone the journey already.
We also host an annual training event each October that brings together our clients from around the U.S. for 3 days of peer-led sessions and networking. Consider attending this year's DNV Healthcare Symposium.
Does DNV partner with other organizations in healthcare?
Yes! We work closely with the Coalition on Laboratory Accreditation (COLA), which accredits clinical laboratories and is certified to the ISO 9001 standard.
We also work with the American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE) to help organizations innovate sustainable solutions in the operations and management of healthcare facilities.
We're also proud to have a DNV overlay in the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines®– Stroke so our clients in stroke program certification can enjoy more streamlined data processes and improved outcomes for patients.
